Russia’s state-run Gazprom Media, the media division of energy giant Gazprom, has entered into a partnership with China’s Shanghai Media Group for distribution of film and TV content.
The move, announced by Russia's deputy communications minister Alexei Volin, shows Russia's commitment to an earlier announced strategy of closer cooperation with BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) in film and television.
A framework agreement signed by the two companies stipulates exchange of features, TV series, documentaries and animated films, Dmitry Chernyshenko, Gazprom Media's general director, was quoted as saying by Russian business daily Vedomosti.
He added that Gazprom media has already prepared an offer of 300 feature films, while the Chinese partner is currently working on a similar offer based on its rights library.
Over the last couple of years, Russia's officials have been stressing the importance of cooperation with such countries as China and India in film distribution and co-production.
The first practical step towards film cooperation between Russia and China was made in fall 2015 when production and distribution company Central Partnership, which is also part of Gazporm Media, signed a distribution agreement with China Film Group.
Last summer, Russian company Digital Television signed a film and television distribution deal with Prasar Bharati, India's largest public broadcasting corporation.